Chapter 10 - THE PROMISE HE COULDN'T MAKE
"I promise I'll try, Mom."
Luca was still kneeling beside Teresa's chair.
She looked at him.
"That's not the same as promising you'll succeed."
He gave a small, sad smile.
"No. It isn't."
Teresa squeezed his hand.
"Good."
He laughed softly.
"Good?"
"Because I've lived long enough to know people make promises they can't always keep."
She touched his cheek.
"Your father used to promise he'd never work late again."
Luca smiled.
"He wasn't very good at that."
"No."
Teresa's eyes softened.
"But when he realized he'd missed something important, he'd make time to put it right."
Luca nodded.
"Then that's what I'll do."
He turned toward Vanessa.
"I'm going to make changes at this house, starting tonight."
She looked uncertain.
"What kind of changes?"
Luca glanced toward Daniel, his head of security, who had remained near the dining-room entrance.
"Daniel, no more business meetings inside the family rooms."
Daniel nodded.
"Understood."
"And arrange for my appointments to take place away from the estate."
"Yes, sir."
Vanessa looked startled.
"Luca, you don't have to do everything tonight."
"No. I can't undo everything tonight."
He looked at her.
"But I can stop treating this house as though it has to serve my work before it serves my family."
He paused.
"I won't pretend that changes everything about the life I've built. That will take more difficult decisions."
Vanessa nodded.
"I understand."
"And I won't expect you to move back here until we've both agreed it's right."
Her eyes filled.
"Thank you."
Teresa watched her son carefully.
"Remember, sweetheart, safety isn't just about where you live."
Luca nodded.
"I know."
"It's also about whether people feel comfortable telling you when they're frightened."
His expression changed.
He looked toward me.
"Emily?"
"Yes, sir?"
"How many times have you wanted to tell me something and decided against it?"
I hesitated.
"Honestly, sir?"
"Please."
"Quite a few."
He leaned back.
"Because of Vanessa?"
"Sometimes."
"And other times?"
I looked toward Mrs. Carter, who'd returned to the dining room after seeing the guests out.
She gave me a small, encouraging nod.
"Because everyone knows you're busy."
Luca looked down.
I continued.
"When somebody important comes to the mansion, the staff usually hears that we shouldn't interrupt you."
He frowned.
"Who gives those instructions?"
"Different people, sir."
"Do you believe I don't want to hear about problems?"
I thought about it.
"Sometimes it feels that way."
For a moment, I worried I'd gone too far.
But Luca nodded.
"Then that's something I need to correct."
He turned toward Mrs. Carter.
"Tomorrow, I'd like us to establish a proper way for staff to raise concerns directly."
"Of course, Mr. Moretti."
"And nobody should be threatened with losing their job for speaking respectfully about something important."
Mrs. Carter nodded.
"Understood."
Vanessa looked at me.
I could see how uncomfortable she was.
She'd spent the evening discovering that the people she'd tried to silence had understood her better than she'd understood herself.
Then Evelyn spoke.
"Vanessa, there's something I'd like to apologize for."
Her daughter looked surprised.
"What?"
"I've spent years telling you how to avoid making the mistakes I made as a mother."
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
Evelyn continued.
"I thought I was helping."
"You were."
"Not always."
Her voice softened.
"Every time I told you what I would do differently, perhaps I made you feel that whatever you chose would be wrong."
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"Mother—"
"I was frightened when you told me you were pregnant. I remembered how overwhelming those first months could be."
She glanced toward Teresa.
"And I tried to protect you by controlling everything."
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
"You made lists."
Evelyn gave a sad smile.
"I've always made lists."
"You told me what to buy, where to live, which doctor to see."
"I thought you wanted help."
"Sometimes I did."
Vanessa paused.
"But sometimes I felt as though I was already failing before the baby was even born."
Evelyn's expression crumpled.
"I never wanted that."
"I know."
Teresa watched them quietly.
Then she spoke.
"May I say something?"
Evelyn nodded.
"Of course."
"Perhaps we could all stop trying to prove we know exactly how to raise this baby."
Vanessa looked at her.
Teresa smiled.
"I raised Luca. Evelyn raised you. We both made mistakes."
Evelyn gave a small laugh.
"Quite a few."
"And you two will make mistakes too."
Luca smiled.
"Thanks, Mom."
She patted his hand.
"But you'll learn. And we'll help when you ask."
Vanessa stared at her.
"You really mean that?"
"Yes."
"You won't be upset if I don't want visitors immediately after the birth?"
Teresa shook her head.
"No."
"Or if I ask for a few quiet days?"
"Of course not."
Vanessa looked toward Evelyn.
Her mother sighed.
"I may need reminding."
For the first time that night, Vanessa laughed.
"So will I."
I began clearing the remaining glasses.
Mrs. Carter joined me.
She leaned close enough that only I could hear.
"You did well tonight, Emily."
I smiled faintly.
"I was terrified."
"I know."
"Do you think things will actually change?"
Mrs. Carter looked toward the family.
"I think we'll have to make sure they do."
It was a practical answer.
I appreciated it.
Across the table, Luca noticed Vanessa rubbing her stomach.
"Are you feeling all right?"
She nodded.
"Just tired."
"Do you want something to eat?"
"I couldn't eat earlier."
"Then let's find you something."
She smiled weakly.
"Toast would be nice."
Mrs. Carter immediately offered to arrange it.
But Vanessa stopped her.
"Please don't trouble yourself. Whatever's available is fine."
I noticed the difference.
Earlier, Vanessa would have demanded something specific without looking at anyone.
Now she seemed aware that the people around her weren't simply there to obey.
Luca sat beside her.
"There's still something bothering you."
Vanessa stared at her hands.
He waited.
She looked toward Teresa.
Then toward Evelyn.
Finally, she whispered, "Everybody keeps talking about what happens when the baby comes."
Luca nodded.
"Yes."
"And about who gets to hold them."
He frowned.
"All right."
Vanessa's eyes filled.
She looked down at her stomach.
"But nobody knows something I've been too embarrassed to say."
Luca gently took her hand.
"What is it?"
May you like
Her voice broke.
"I'm afraid I won't even know how to hold my own baby."
